Programs on Linux

Whether you are using Linux on the desktop or as a server, it's still good that you're using Linux. Linux related questions go here.

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Steveo31
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Programs on Linux

Post by Steveo31 »

I assume the lot of you are running linux for other-than-server purposes. Can you use all the proggies on Windows on linux too? Few to name:

AIM
MSN Messenger
Firefox

...the like.
kettle_drum
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Post by kettle_drum »

You can use most of them, or equivlents, as they have been ported over. If not you can aways use wine to run them.
malcolmboston
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Post by malcolmboston »

lol, you have got to be joking right??

i had wine on my linux box, it refused to run anything, adobe photoshop 7 would load and then crash after about 30 seconds

best off dual-booting tbh
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

unless you can afford seperate machines.. ;)
malcolmboston
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Post by malcolmboston »

yeah, well obviously, i have 3 pc's and a laptop, but most people are'nt that fortunate
Steveo31
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Post by Steveo31 »

Ok cool. I was thinkin about having a dual boot system...but I've read that there could be some problems. I'm lookin and researching Debian, seems like a good distro. You think it could work?
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Weirdan
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Post by Weirdan »

heh, it should work ;) But not sure would it... ;)
magicrobotmonkey
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Post by magicrobotmonkey »

Dual booting has always *worked* fine for me, but its a real pain in the @$$. Get an old box and forget about a gui. just set it up and let it run. access though telnet and ftp and such. Thats a good way to learn linux!
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Post by jason »

If your new to Linux, get SuSE or Mandrake. Debian is not good to start with.

Next, Linux has app's of the same type as those on Windows. You really don't need to dual boot (of course, if you are new, you may want to.) However, if you are going to move to linux, your best off moving over, and learning the applications there. If you need applications, you can always look at crossover office and wine. They do work, and work pretty well. It depends on what you want though.
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Post by jason »

magicrobotmonkey wrote:Dual booting has always *worked* fine for me, but its a real pain in the @$$. Get an old box and forget about a gui. just set it up and let it run. access though telnet and ftp and such. Thats a good way to learn linux!
Or rather, screw windows and just use Linux. That's a better way to learn Linux.
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Post by magicrobotmonkey »

heh fair enough!
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Post by jason »

Well, I am a prick when it comes to Linux or Windows. It's pretty easy. Linux is just as easy to use as Windows. Anyone disagreeing can come over to my office and spend a few days with real user problems. For example:
  • Windows rewriting the network settings. Wasn't a virus, it was Windows itself.
  • Not being able to see the network.
  • Not being able to connect to a local printer. Or the network printer.
  • Loosing files and the user is not able to find them again.
Couple those problems with Spyware and Viruses, as well as security updates, and it's just not worth the headache. Our windows users have lots of problems. However, the people using Linux on the desktop hardly ever call me over. And if they do, it's to ask if an application exists. Usually it's already installed with SuSE, and they continue moving on.

And if your not wanting to use Linux, you might as well just get a Macintosh. They aren't expensive, and are much nicer than PC's.
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Post by jason »

To clarify, I am not saying Linux doesn't suffer from some of these same problems. Rather, that Windows is just as difficult to use as Linux, and suffers searious problems as well, and with all those problems, plus the viruses and spyware, it's simply not worth it.
Steveo31
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Post by Steveo31 »

Thanks for all the input.

I saw SuSE at Best Buy near my house and it was about $80. Either that or download it. The only thing I can think of is that some error would occur in installing it like always with me. Heh. I'd like to try Mandrake, but it's not free, and I don't have enough $$ to pay for a host let alone a Mandrake "club".

The reason I wanted to go with Debian is:
DistroWatch.com
Of course, the thing that people want is application software: programs to help them get what they want to do done, from editing documents to running a business to playing games to writing more software. Debian comes with over 8000 packages (precompiled software that is bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine)...
I guess it is all a marketing ploy for it, as I would assume all distros of Linux enable you to "get what [you] want done..."

Once I get the extra $80 I'll take a plunge into SuSE unless there is a reason not to....

Again thanks for the input.
d3ad1ysp0rk
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Post by d3ad1ysp0rk »

Jason, I'm adding one:
- not being able to play your favorite games

Oh wait, that's linux.
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